Free Essay

Conflict Management and Cultures

In:

Submitted By nozimjon
Words 282
Pages 2
Intercultural Conflict Management
How should we define an intercultural conflict? Is there any difference between a conflict and an intercultural one? The following chapter, which is a summary of the chapter “Constructive Intercultural Conflict Management” (Stella Ting-Toomey, Communicating Across Cultures, 1999, pages 194-197), attempts to answer these two questions. At the end of the chapter, we also include an extract of the “Intercultural Conflict Style Inventory” (Mitchell Hammer, 2002)

1. Definition of intercultural conflicts

“Intercultural conflict is defined as the perceived or actual incompatibility of values, norms, processes, or goals between a minimum of two cultural parties over content, identity, relational, and procedural issues. Intercultural conflict often starts off with different expectations concerning appropriate or inappropriate behavior in an interaction episode.” (Ting-Toomey, 1999, p.194).

Another author holds a similar view: “Conflicts are always cultural, since we are all cultural beings. Yet the very definition of conflict is challenging because of our cultural ways of seeing”. (Michelle Le Baron and Venashri Pillay, Conflict across Cultures, 2006, page 13).

According to Le Baron, conflict occurs at

← the material level, or the “what” of the conflict; ← the symbolic level, the meaning of issues to the people involved, especially those meanings that resonate with peoples' identities, values, and worldviews; ← and the relational level, or the dance among parties, or the way in which conflict plays out.

“Effective conflict resolution across cultures must address all three dimensions. Culture contextualizes and shapes all three dimensions, so conflict resolution must also be anchored in cultural fluency”. (Le Baron and Pillay, 2006, page 19)

Stella Ting-Toomey proposes the following definitional characteristics of intercultural conflicts:

Content goals are the substantive issues that are external to...

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

International Journal of Business and Management

...Vol. 3, No. 7 International Journal of Business and Management A Study on the Trans-Culture Management of International Hotel in China Chunwei Li Hotel Management, TUC-FIU Cooperative School, Tianjin University of Commerce Tianjin 300134, China E-mail: chunweifiu@yahoo.com Abstract Along with the integration process of global economy, cultural conflicts gains more and more attentions. After China’s entry to WTO, China economy is involved in world economy further. More and more international companies enter China. However, they encounter with an overall cultural impact. Trans-culture conflicts have already become a problem for international groups. Teams with different cultural beliefs challenge the effectiveness of traditional management theories. Differences between Chinese culture and western culture affect international groups’ management significantly. Trans-culture management gains attentions from international groups more and more. Therefore, it is meaningful to research this issue. This paper selects the international hotel industry in China as a subject to study the trans-culture conflict phenomenon with the hope of achieving effective trans-culture management. Keywords: International hotel group, Trans-culture management 1. Analyze the effect of culture from different levels of international hotel group 1.1 Founders Many companies have their “heroes”. Wilkins defines these people as “living or passing, real or virtual men who are models of behaviors in companies...

Words: 2739 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Conflict Management

...EssayAmanda Brown | [Conflict mANAGEMENT] | This essay critiques six journals that have both positive and negative views on Conflict Management. The topic surrounding the essay is that conflict management is a vital tool for managers to have. | Effective conflict management is a vital skill for managers to promote long term progress and stability of an organisation. Conflict is defined as the “process that begins when one party perceives that another party has negatively affected something the first party cares about” (Di Costa, 2011, p42). Conflict management is the process of handling or dealing with the conflict when it arises. There are many different sources of conflict and it comes in many different forms, but the consequences of conflict on workers is generally the same. Over the past few years many strategies and preventions have been developed, this is seen in the five modes of dealing with conflict in the workplace. Culture plays a big part in conflict, resulting in both positive and negative responses to conflict from both individuals and teams as a whole. A number of parties argue that conflict management is not needed or wanted within the workplace, these debates arise for a number of reasons. Workplaces may be shaped by the unique aspects of the environment and when this environment is altered or affected conflict can be the eventuating result. The report “Sources of Conflict within Organisations and the Methods of Conflict Resolution” looks at the different...

Words: 1919 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

The Influence of the Individualism-Collectivism Cultural Dimension on Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Styles: a Cross-Cultural Study of American and Ethiopian Managers in the U.S.A.

...Pruitt’s negotiation styles model, and Rahim’s conflict management model, this research examines how national culture influence the way people choose negotiation and conflict resolution handling styles through an empirical study of 87 individuals in the U.S. The respondents were divided in two groups: American, and Ethiopians. The results show that the individualism-collectivism cultural dimension did differentiate the members of the American culture from the members of the Ethiopian culture. Among the negotiation and conflict management styles object of this study, the dominating style was found to be preferred by those with high concern for self, whereas the cooperating and the integrating styles were found to be preferred by those with high concern for others. Introduction In order to remain competitive in their respective markets companies around the world are expanding their horizons beyond their original country, and they are increasingly seeking international partnerships and business ventures in different cultural environments. The ability to negotiate across national borders and within the organization has become increasingly important in the past decade, but despite the continuous growth of business globalization negotiation and conflict resolution styles are often misunderstood. According to much of the literature available scholars have conducted substantial research on the subjects of negotiation and conflict resolution over the past years, including some...

Words: 2755 - Pages: 12

Free Essay

Conflict

...High Context Culture (Collectivistic Culture) – Asian and Spanish The root of conflict avoidance within romantic relationships manifests from cultural influences that shape each partner’s conflict management style. Depending on cultural influences of the individual, his or her disposition of conflict management will differ. Cultural influence can be classified into two groups, low-context individualistic culture and high-context collectivistic culture. In individualistic cultures, the goals, needs, and rights of the individual take precedence over the goals, responsibilities and obligations of the group (137). While members of the collectivistic culture value the goals, responsibilities and obligations of the group over the goals, needs, and rights of the individual (137). Within each culture, lies a certain pattern of responses which aim to manage conflict. Through careful analysis of individualistic and collectivistic cultures, inferences can be made to support the notion that there are systemic correlations between conflict avoidance within romantic relationships and cultural influences. Individualistic cultures consist of primarily Western countries such as the United States. Studies have shown that members of individualistic cultures tend to favour a more integrating conflict style. “The Integrating conflict style is characterized by a willingness to openly exchange information in a direct way, constructively address differences, and to make a true effort to find a mutually...

Words: 1031 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Management

...Human Resource Management Student Name: Katie Greene - 08541876 Question: When work-place bullying takes place in an organization, it is because leadership and management of the organization allow it to happen. Do you agree? Introduction Bullying in the workplace has been defined as “harassing, offending, socially excluding someone or negatively affecting someone’s work tasks...repeatedly and regularly,” (Einarsen, 2003). By this we understand that bullying is a process that stems from a series of actions foregone. The forms of bullying which take place in an organisation are vast and range from verbal abuse to violence to sexual discrimination and harassment. While occurrences of bullying arise because management allow them to, literature suggests that there are various other factors which lead to it. The following sections attempt to explore these determinants. There is much evidence to suggest that workplace bullying is encouraged by management (O’Connell et al, 2007) and other evidence that suggests the opposite view (Einsaren, 2003). I will determine that one of the main responsibilities lies with management, but that other factors such as personalities, workplace ethic, policies, working culture, organizational behaviour and industrial nature have their own roles to play. Through my research I established that a knock-on effect exists within the concepts produced in the literature. We must firstly look at definitions of bullying and conflict to establish why it occurs...

Words: 2733 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Cross Cultural Management of Japan & United States

...Cross Cultural Management of Japan & United States One concern of the merger between these two companies involves group interaction and sense of space. People in the United States take great pride in themselves on individualism and informality. The Japanese culture values groups and formality. People in the United States admire a person who excels above everyone else. If this merger takes place and it makes the price of stock to rise, the American company might want to buy more stock and the Japanese might not agree with this and be more cautious which could result in a cross-culture conflict. Cultural differences and cross culture conflicts is the biggest challenge in terms of cross-cultural management that will arise in the merger of these two companies (Chen, 2013). Due to differences in culture in terms of beliefs, priorities and lifestyles, management of cross culture operations will be difficult for both companies. It is because cultural differences affect the human thinking, feeling, acting and behavior that can result in cross culture conflicts within the organization (Adekola and Sergi, 2012). For example, in terms of language, religion, value, and attitudes, there are several cultural differences in both countries: U.S. and Japan, which can affect decisions and choices of employees or people from these countries and can cause to cross culture conflicts (Yoder, 2011). The women who are employed at Tokyo Electron worry that their jobs might be eliminated...

Words: 1020 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Making Decisions with the Japanese Ringi Technique

...nonexistent. This is due to the high amount of conflict which prohibits consensus decision making. In contrast Japanese companies have developed a system known as ringiseido which allows consensus to be reached while avoiding conflict. This paper explains the differences in the cultures of America and Japan and how these differences have affected the way decisions are made. Making Decisions with the Japanese Ringi Technique Imagine living in a culture where your peers are considered part of your group and you strive to benefit the group as a whole and conflict is avoided as it would disrupt the harmony of your group. For many Americans this may sound impossible. For instance, how would anything be accomplished, how would decisions be made, and most of all how would this benefit us individually? There are several cultures that do strive to avoid conflict. In this paper I will discuss Japan’s treatment of conflict and decision making through its use of a technique known as ringiseido. As many of us know, Americans are not afraid of conflict, some of us may be uncomfortable with it but in general we feel that it is unavoidable. In fact, “conflict is seen as inevitable, and the ideal way to view conflict is as an opportunity to promote communication, stimulate ideas, increase understanding, and to bring about positive and creative change” (Asia University America Program, 2011). Overall, American’s feel that the best way to deal with conflict is to be direct and to bring it out into...

Words: 1768 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Competencies Needed for the Conflict

...COMPETENCIES NEEDED FOR THE CONFLICT MANAGEMENT Md. Musharrof Hossain Head, HRM, ICDDR,B Competencies needed for the Conflict Management The following competencies are required for Managers for better management of conflicts: Knowledge: 01. Understand the laws and regulations that have an impact on conflict management and on organizational functioning in areas related to conflict management. 02. Understand the organizational change process. 03. Understand the design and practice of training in the workplace, including adult learning theory. 04. Understand conflict resolution theory, principles and methods, particularly as they apply to the various conflict resolution mechanisms typically part of conflict management systems. Be aware of current best practices in conflict management. Competencies needed for the Conflict Management Abilities:  Ability to manage organizational change.  Ability to conduct needs assessment (i.e. to discern the nature of the organizational needs).  Ability to design and conduct adult training.  Ability to design and conduct evaluation of program implementation.  Ability to facilitate groups and build consensus.  Ability to design a conflict management system (or to lead the design process).  Ability to work collaboratively.  Ability to assess the decision-making centers in an organization and to gain the support and cooperation of the key decision makers.  Ability to mediate, or to use a mediative process...

Words: 3014 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Human Resource

...environment. Cullen & Praveen (2014) explains culture as the characteristics of a particular group of people, defined by everything from language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts etc. Nick (2012) points out that in Southeast Asia, Singapore has become a newly industrialized nation, which was hailed as a great economic success during the last 2 decades and the countries traditions of its culture still play a major role in business activities. While Stanton & Nankervis (2011) argues that the national culture of Singapore is high in power distance and this has lead the superiors and subordinates treat each other as unequals in the country. Singapore has also been called is also called a “nanny state’ by Nick (2012), because it is a work culture in which people are supposed to do exactly what they are told and there is no decentralisation or any opportunity for lower level employees to make suggestions. The research used both primary and secondary data collection method to collect information about the question at hand. Research found that Clearly the problem of conflicts due to culture is prevailing both in work conditions and everyday life in Singapore. These have huge implications for the businesses, especially in a fast passed globalized business. Conflict at work is common in multinational companies around the world, but as Joana, John, Luthans & Bovaird (2014) states, conflicts in human resource due to culture can be very dangerous for companies and may...

Words: 7009 - Pages: 29

Free Essay

Southwest Airlines: Culture of Communication

...Southwest Airlines: Culture of Communication Kevin Miner COM 530 December 9, 2013 Patrick Thornton Abstract This paper will discuss the culture of communication at Southwest Airlines. Founded in 1971 the company’s culture is based on mutual respect where forward thinking is encouraged and rewarded. All levels of employees have the authority to act for the customer’s best interest without continuously getting approval from above. Employees’ perception of an open minded and supportive workplace is validated by the success the company has enjoyed over the years. Conflicts within Southwest Airlines are resolved through concepts like self-policing, teamwork and mutual respect between managers and employees. Southwest Airlines: Culture of Communication Southwest Airlines emerged in 1971 as a low cost alternative to legacy airlines such as United, Delta, and American. When he started Southwest, Herb Kelleher established a culture for employees that encourages and rewards forward thinking. Southwest has excelled from the beginning earning profits in all but its first year (Smith, 2004). Any company, especially one operating throughout many different regions of the country needs to have efficient communication. Southwest Airlines has successfully created and fostered a communication model with clear goals, values and expectations of respect between its various employee groups ("Southwest airlines one," 2013). In his article, An Evaluation on the corporate culture of Southwest...

Words: 1100 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Leadership

...at the small business I am currently consulting for, an immediate analysis was needed on the organization’s operational and financial structures. Our small advisory team aimed to complete a corporate examination that would recognize deficiencies and recommend new practices that would ultimately lay the framework for future success and stability. In the end, discoveries were presented and discussed with the President of the firm and goals were established. The change principles were then relayed to the other members of the management group, who were invited to share their vision and views, however, these principles were met with conflict and friction. Previously, company wide decisions were made by these few individuals in senior management. Regrettably, these corporate leaders did not have the wherewithal to forecast the effects of their decisions, as they did not have an actual pulse on the company’s revenue streams or any firm idea of business management. They implemented frameworks, made hiring decisions and purchases that did not add to the bottom line nor prove to create any return on investment. To the growing detriment of the firm, these individuals were given free reign by the President to operate under lax structures. The subsequent recommendations of our analysis moved to create greater transparency, fostering increased accountability in decision making as well as a reworked pay scale allowing for a larger operational balance at the end of each month. This redeveloped...

Words: 3644 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

The Paper

...Analysis of Leadership Approach Mike Wilson Firstly let’s discuss the leadership of Mike Wilson. Mike is described in the case study as a hard working charismatic and inspirational leader, which is a leadership approach used to describe a quality of a leader who inspire his or her work mates, and according to the case study, Mike has the ability to achieve goals and did help transformed his organization. Mike’s leadership approach known as Transformational approach is well described by Wood as a leader who by force of their personal abilities is capable of having a profound effect on his followers (Wood et al 2010). Furthermore Mike’s leadership approach was effective. Even his former boss hired him back because he has high regard of the Management at Consolidated Life Insurance. Mike was well liked by his fellow supervisors and he was one of the pioneers of setting up a Supervisors forum which was formed to identify ways for the company to positively move forward.(Wiesner, R 2011). Mike has a flexible supervisory style that he uses to run his department. He did provide excellent results through implementation of people oriented activities such as group meetings and in house trainings. Rick Belkner Rick Belkner on the other hand was the man in charge. He is a perfect example of a Transactional leader who always set goals and standards and fulfills responsibilities and meets those standards on the expense of his followers. He compromise good workers for his position and pay inspired...

Words: 3850 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

A Sino-U.S. Comparison of Work-Family Conflict and Its Implications to American Managers

...A Sino-U.S. Comparison of Work-Family Conflict and Its Implications to American Managers A SINO-U.S. COMPARISON OF WORK-FAMILY CONFLICT 2 Abstract In this qualitative study, work-family conflict in China and the United States is compared and contrasted based on national culture, traditions, norms, and living standards. The analysis results in a proposition that Chinese employees will experience less work-family conflict when faced with the same work and family demand as their American counterparts, because of differences in their work and family priority, perception of work-family relationship, national culture, conflict handling style, social support, work-family communication, and economic pressure. The implications to American managers are discussed. A SINO-U.S. COMPARISON OF WORK-FAMILY CONFLICT 3 A Sino-U.S. Comparison of Work-Family Conflict and Its Implications to American Managers Work-family conflict has been a concern of many researchers (Carlson & Kacmar, 2000; Greenhaus & Beutell, 1985). Studies showed that work-family conflict had negative impact on employees, their families, and organizations (Beutell & Witting-Berman, 1999; Burke, 1988; Frone & Cooper, 1992; Goff, Mount, & Jamison, 1990; Martins, Eddleston, & Veiga, 2002). Recent changes in demographic characteristics of the U.S. work force have resulted in greater work-family conflict. Examples of these demographic changes include the...

Words: 4638 - Pages: 19

Premium Essay

The Geeks of Chic

...Caught between Corporate Cultures” by critically discussing the following organizational behavior issues as they pertain in the case: Task 1.1 Critically analyze the leadership approach (es) which Rick Belkner, Mike Wilson and Jack Greely employed in the case. Task 1.2 Critically analyze the power and politics issues evident from the case. Task 1.3 Critically analyze the components of the conflict management process evident from the case. Task 1.4 Critically analyze the organizational culture issues of Consolidated Life. Task 2 Make recommendations: Draw up a table and summarize what improvements are needed in relation to: 1. Leadership and associated change management strategies. 2. Power and politics 3. Conflict management 4. Organizational culture in Consolidated Life 1 ASSIGNMENT Task 1.1 (538 words) I believe that individuals are groomed through experience and exposure to be leaders. Some leaders can influence and motivate those around them more effectively and easily than others and guide them to be a more coherent and cohesive unit in order to accomplish the objectives and targets. All three main characters in this case, exhibit different management styles and approaches which clearly differentiates them as not only managers but also as individuals with a different approach, conditioning and thought process (Zastrow, 2008). Rick clearly displays all the traits of delegative leadership or a Laissez Fare approach to leadership. It is a leadership style...

Words: 2776 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Organization Theory Behaviour

...http://www.sooperarticles.com/business-articles/organizational-behavior-articles 1 An Explanation of Swot Analysis And Why Your Business Needs It. SWOT analysis or 'position' analysis is a crucial exercise that all businesses should undertake at regular intervals, whether they are new or old. By: Elizabeth Cromwell Published Date: 06-28-2010 SWOT analysis or 'position' analysis is a crucial exercise that all businesses should undertake at regular intervals, whether they are new or old. It is basically a critical appraisal of the Strengths and Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats in relation to the internal and environmental factors affecting a business. SWOT very simply stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, and the easiest form of SWOT analysis is to take a sheet of paper or Excel spreadsheet and head four columns with these four categories. Once you have done this you can begin to list things under each heading; giving you an honest in-depth analysis of your business. By undertaking a SWOT analysis a business will be able to prepare much better short and long term plans. It will also allow them to identify gaps between their actual and desired performance and aid them in closing these gaps. It is however important that you are completely honest when it comes to the negative parts of your examination for the SWOT to be an effective tool. Let us have a look at the...

Words: 3132 - Pages: 13